Disaster Relief and Preparedness
March 14, 2025 Tornado Relief Response
An EF2 tornado hit our Rolla community just before 8:00 PM on March 14, 2025. Many homes and businesses were severely damaged or destroyed. The tornado bisected Rolla's power grid, knocking out nine substations. Many families lost food due to lack of refrigeration, were displaced from their homes, and had huge cleanup efforts.
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort (CoCDRE) was quickly in touch with us to coordinate the delivery of a truck of relief supplies. See the slideshow below for more details as our church family came together to serve our community. Scroll down for more information about responding after a disaster and how you can prepare.
After a Disaster
Floods, tornados, hurricanes, fires, and other disasters seem to strike too often. If you would like to help with the relief effort in a disaster, here are a few things to remember.
- Leave the immediate efforts to first responders and other professionals
While you may feel compelled to immediately go help at the scene of disaster, that is best left to trained first responders and other professionals who are coordinating closely with the local and state Office of Emergency Management, which is then coordinating with local Incident Command. These organizations are responsible for search and rescue operations, and restoring services, infrastructure, and civil order. Showing up on scene without coordinating with Incident Command can create dangers for you and complicate rescue and relief efforts.
- The National Incident Management System
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) has been adopted by municipalities and businesses across the United States since 2004. It defines the command structure, operations, communications, volunteer coordination, and more during an incident. Click below to learn more about NIMS and download the NIMS Doctrine document to learn more how you can work with emergency management teams during an incident.
NIMS Doctrine Document
Many Emergency Management organizations require that supporting organizations, including Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as churches, complete two courses which introduce them to the National Incident Management System. Those courses can be taken for free online. Here are links to those two courses.
Many Emergency Management organizations require that supporting organizations, including Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as churches, complete two courses which introduce them to the National Incident Management System. Those courses can be taken for free online. Here are links to those two courses.
- Pray for those impacted.
Praying to God for those individuals and families who have been impacted is important. Remember to pray for the first responders, as they are often at significant risk themselves as they try to restore services and order.
- Beware of email scams soliciting your support.
These email scams are often sent out after disasters, in an effort to get people to make an emotional response. Their real goal is to capture your credit card information or other personal details for their own financial benefit.
- Consider assisting during the rebuilding phase.
Depending on the type of disaster families may need assistance clearing their property and rebuilding their homes. This is a much better time to assist. Look for groups that are coordinating their efforts to provide this level of support. Our youth group and some families have helped during this phase of previous disasters.
Below are two links that you can use to provide assistance and relief during disasters. Both of these organizations accept donations
Church of Christ Disaster Relief Effort provides emergency food, cleaning supplies, and many other needed items. They are based in Nashville, TN. This large organization monitors disaster activity throughout the United States, and they begin filling boxes and stocking semi-trucks often before the disaster occurs, so that they can get rolling to the scene as soon as Incident Command allows. Click below to go to their website.
Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team provides services to the local churches to assist in relief efforts. This organization is based in Tipp City, OH. They provide a trailer with a mobile kitchen, a mobile shower trailer, tools, health kits, and many other items. Click below to go to their website.
Compassionate Utilization of Resources (CURE) is a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation formed in 1996 for charitable purposes. Response to needs created by the April 1996 tornado in the Fort Smith, Arkansas, area resulted in the formation of CURE for continuing regional crisis or disaster relief, support of medical missions and other activities providing for those in need. CURE was formed to tangibly exhibit the Spirit and love of Jesus Christ, as portrayed in the New Testament, to our neighbors in need.
Disaster Preparedness
Being prepared for emergencies and disasters is important for each individual and family. There are many good resources to help you prepare for these situations in advance.
Personal and Family Preparation
Having adequate emergency supplies, first aid, communications, and other resources is critical in any disaster or emergency. The link below provides excellent guidance for you and your family to prepare for a variety of situations that may occur.
Personal and Family Preparation
Community Preparation
Take the lead and coordinate with community leaders to assist with threat and risk assessment, and preparations to mitigate those risks. The National Preparedness System provides a well considered and detailed approach to planning at the community level.